Heart & Hustle Award

Created by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association in 2005, the Heart & Hustle Award is voted on by Alumni and active Major League players and is presented annually to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.

The MLBPAA formed 30 committees, comprised of Alumni players with established relationships to each team. One player from each Major League team is chosen by the committees based on the passion, desire, and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field. These players will be recognized prior to an upcoming home game. As the season draws to a close, fans, all Alumni and active players will vote to select the final winner from the 30 team winners.

2017 Heart & Hustle Award

A five-time winner of the New York Yankees team Heart and Hustle Award, Gardner had a fantastic 2017 campaign, posting career highs in hits (157), home runs (21) and slugging percentage (.428). Gardner has also continued to make a difference in his community, frequently spending time with children at the New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Childrens Hospital, and visits the Medical University of South Carolina every year with his wife, Jessica. A Roberto Clemente Award nominee the last two seasons, Gardner is a fixture in the Yankees' annual Hope Week activities. Gardner also works with the Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army and is a charter member of the Taylor Hooton Advisory Board, which educates young people on the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs. In 2016, Gardner hosted a luncheon for 80 active duty members of the U.S. military and their families for Thanksgiving. During a game on Sept. 1, 2017, Gardner wore two special pairs of cleats that were sold in an auction benefitting the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centers Pediatric Cancer Research Center.

2016 Heart & Hustle Award

In 2016 Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier clubbed 40 homers, drove in 98 runs and swiped 15 bases en route to one of the best seasons of his career. A two-time All-Star with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the White Sox after the 2015 season, Frazier won the 2015 Home Run Derby in Cincinnati. A champion at heart, Frazier was a part of the Toms River, New Jersey team that won the 1998 Little League World Series. Since his MLB debut in 2011, Frazier has smashed 148 homers and driven in 422 runs. A tenacious athlete and a great teammate, Frazier also stays active in his community and helped with relief efforts in his home state of New Jersey when Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012. We are proud to honor Todd Frazier with the 2016 Heart & Hustle Award.

2015 Heart & Hustle Award

2015 Heart & Hustle Award winner Anthony Rizzo put together quite a season, collecting 163 hits, slugging 31 homers and driving in 101 runs to accompany 17 stolen bases. A consistent, reliable player, the Chicago Cubs first baseman played in 160 games in 2015, a year in which the Cubs finished with a record of 97-65 and advanced all the way to the National League Championship Series. In 2015, Rizzo made his second career All-Star appearance and finished fourth in NL MVP voting as well. Rizzo also spends much of his free time giving back to his community and represents the game of baseball with pride and honor. Through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, Rizzo helps to provide support for cancer research and for children and their families who are battling the disease. A phenomenal teammate as well, Anthony Rizzo is a deserving recipient of the 2015 Heart & Hustle Award.

2014 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Josh Harrison, Pittsburgh Pirates

A National League All-Star selection in 2014, Josh Harrison didn't stop there as he secured the 2014 Heart & Hustle Award. Harrison was consistently good for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014, posting a batting average of .315 while crossing home plate 77 times, stealing 18 bases and driving in 52 runs. A versatile utilityman, Harrison plays the game with passion and energy, helping the 2014 Pirates reach the postseason. In addition to what he's done on the diamond, Harrison is extremely active in his community, both through the Josh Harrison for Hope Foundation, which helps provide clothing for low-income children, and through his involvement with Dreambuilders and Blessings in a Backpack, who have partnered to help provide food for elementary school students in the Pittsburgh area. A great player and an even better teammate and person, Harrison's 2014 Heart & Hustle Award is much deserved.

2013 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

In 2013 Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia put together another solid season, posting an average of .301 with 193 hits and 84 RBIs. A 2013 American League All-Star, Pedroia also won his third career Gold Glove Award. Since his MLB debut in 2006, Pedroia has been selected to four AL All-Star teams, won the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year Award and received 2008 AL MVP honors. A World Series champion with the Red Sox in 2007, Pedroia is known around the league for his relentless effort on the field both offensively and defensively, making him exactly the kind of player that embodies the values of the Heart & Hustle Award.

2012 Heart & Hustle Award

During his breakout season for the Los Angeles Angels in 2012, Mike Trout led the league in runs scored (129) and stolen bases (49) and was unanimously voted the American League Rookie of the Year. With a .325 batting average, 30 home runs and 83 RBIs, Trout finished second in American League MVP voting and was selected to his first All-Star team in 2012. Trout plays baseball at full speed every day and exudes a passion for the game that is undeniable, making him a more-than-worthy winner of the 2012 Heart & Hustle Award.

2011 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

One of the best defensive center fielders of the 21st century, Torii Hunter is a four-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove Award winner and also won a Silver Slugger Award in 2009. In 2011, Hunter finished with a .262 average, 23 home runs and 82 RBIs, bringing his career total to over 1,000 RBIs. On defense, Hunter was stellar once again, finishing with a .989 fielding percentage and committing only three errors the entire season. Hunter's charity, the Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative, provides college scholarships for students in California, Nevada, Minnesota and Hunter's home state of Arkansas. He is also active in the Big Brothers Organization and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. His work earned him the 2009 Branch Rickey Award, which is given based on excellence in charity work. A fantastic player and a great ambassador for the game, we are proud to honor Torii Hunter with the 2011 Heart & Hustle Award.

2010 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

After spending his first 12 MLB seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, Roy Halladay was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in December of 2009. Chosen in the first round of the 1995 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Halladay has already put together a phenomenal career. In 2003, Halladay won the American League Cy Young Award, establishing himself as one of the top starting pitchers in the game. In 2010, Halladay went 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 250.2 innings of work, earning him the National League Cy Young Award. In addition to two Cy Young Awards, Halladay has also made seven All-Star appearances. Apart from his on-field accomplishments, the ace is actively involved in the community. While in Toronto, he started the "Doc's Box" program in which he and his wife, Brandy, brought kids from the local children's hospital and their families to a Blue Jays game. They were treated to a day of baseball along with a hat, T-shirt, program and other Blue Jays gear. Due to his consistently dominant performance on the mound and his commitment to his community, Halladay embodies the Heart & Hustle Award as well as anyone.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Ty Wiggington

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Chris Young

• Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia

• Atlanta Braves: Jason Heyward

• Chicago White Sox: A.J. Pierzynski

• Chicago Cubs: Tyler Colvin

• Cleveland Indians: Shin-Soo Choo

• Cincinnati Reds: Jonny Gomes

• Detroit Tigers: Brandon Inge

• Colorado Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki

• Kansas City Royals: David DeJesus

• Houston Astros: Jason Bourgeois

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Joel Pineiro

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Matt Kemp

• Minnesota Twins: Nick Punto

• Miami Marlins: Gaby Sanchez

• New York Yankees: Brett Gardner

• Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun

• Oakland Athletics: Kurt Suzuki

• New York Mets: Jose Reyes

• Seattle Mariners: Franklin Gutierrez

• Philadelphia Phillies: Roy Halladay

• Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Neil Walker

• Texas Rangers: Michael Young

• San Diego Padres: Chris Denorfia

• Toronto Blue Jays: John McDonald

• San Francisco Giants: Andres Torres

• St. Louis Cardinals: Jon Jay

• Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman

2009 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

A 13th-round draft pick in 1999 by the Cardinals, Albert Pujols has become one of the best hitters in the game. In 2009, Pujols once again put up dominant offensive numbers with a .324 average, 47 home runs and 135 RBIs, earning him National League MVP honors. Pujols was the leading vote-getter for the 2009 All-Star Game, receiving the highest number of votes in National League history as of 2009. A three-time NL MVP, eight-time All-Star, 2001 NL Rookie of the Year, five-time Silver Slugger and 2006 Gold Glove winner, Pujols is equally great off the field as well. Pujols created the Pujols Family Foundation dedicated to "the love, care and development of people with down syndrome and their families," and he leads relief efforts in his native country, the Dominican Republic. Pujols' hard work and solid character earned him the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, which is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and individual contribution to his team. Albert Pujols is a consummate professional and one of the best ballplayers of the 21st century, making him a wonderful representative of the Heart & Hustle Award.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Nick Markakis

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Mark Reynolds

• Boston Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury

• Atlanta Braves: Brian McCann

• Chicago White Sox: Mark Buehrle

• Chicago Cubs: Derrek Lee

• Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

• Cincinnati Reds: Adam Rosales

• Detroit Tigers: Brandon Inge

• Colorado Rockies: Clint Barmes

• Kansas City Royals: Mark Teahen

• Houston Astros: Hunter Pence

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Torii Hunter

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Martin

• Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer

• Miami Marlins: John Baker

• New York Yankees: Nick Swisher

• Milwaukee Brewers: Mike Cameron

• Oakland Athletics: Jack Cust

• New York Mets: David Wright

• Seattle Mariners: Jose Lopez

• Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley

• Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Ryan Doumit

• Texas Rangers: Michael Young

• San Diego Padres: David Eckstein

• Toronto Blue Jays: Rod Barajas

• San Francisco Giants: Pablo Sandoval

• St. Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols

• Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman

2008 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore is the fourth recipient of the overall Heart & Hustle Award. Sizemore, who turned 26 in August 2008, set career highs in 2008 in doubles (39), home runs (38), RBIs (90), stolen bases (38) and bases on balls (98), and played defense well enough to earn his second straight Gold Glove Award. Sizemore finished 10th in the American League MVP voting, won his first Silver Slugger and was named an All-Star for the third time. A passionate, energetic player, Grady Sizemore is a fantastic representative of the Heart & Hustle Award..

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Nick Markakis

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Stephen Drew

• Boston Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury

• Atlanta Braves: Yunel Escobar

• Chicago White Sox: Joe Crede

• Chicago Cubs: Geovany Soto

• Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

• Cincinnati Reds: Jerry Hairston Jr.

• Detroit Tigers: Curtis Granderson

• Colorado Rockies: Clint Barmes

• Kansas City Royals: David DeJesus

• Houston Astros: Hunter Pence

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Torii Hunter

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Martin

• Minnesota Twins: Mike Redmond

• Miami Marlins: Dan Uggla

• New York Yankees: Derek Jeter

• Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Hart

• Oakland Athletics: Jack Cust

• New York Mets: David Wright

• Seattle Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki

• Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley

• Tampa Bay Rays: Jonny Gomes

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Matt Capps

• Texas Rangers: Ian Kinsler

• San Diego Padres: Adrian Gonzalez

• Toronto Blue Jays: Vernon Wells

• San Francisco Giants: Randy Winn

• St. Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols

• Washington Nationals: Jesus Flores

2007 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Craig Biggio, Houston Astros

In his last big league season, Craig Biggio joined the 3,000-hit club, capping off his 20th year with the Houston Astros. Biggio finished the season with a .979 fielding average, a .251 batting average and 130 hits. He also received the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given to the player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team." During his fantastic career, Biggio was a seven-time All-Star, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner and a five-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He also won the Branch Rickey award in 1997 and the Hutch award in 2005. We are proud to honor Craig Biggio with the 2007 Heart & Hustle Award.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Brian Roberts

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Conor Jackson

• Boston Red Sox: Kevin Youkilis

• Atlanta Braves: Kelly Johnson

• Chicago White Sox: Jim Thome

• Chicago Cubs: Derrek Lee

• Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

• Cincinnati Reds: Ryan Freel

• Detroit Tigers: Curtis Granderson

• Colorado Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki

• Kansas City Royals: David DeJesus

• Houston Astros: Craig Biggio

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Chone Figgins

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Martin

• Minnesota Twins: Torii Hunter

• Miami Marlins: Alfredo Amezaga

• New York Yankees: Mariano Rivera

• Milwaukee Brewers: Bill Hall

• Oakland Athletics: Nick Swisher

• New York Mets: Endy Chavez

• Seattle Mariners: Raul Ibanez

• Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley

• Tampa Bay Rays: Brendan Harris

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Jack Wilson

• Texas Rangers: Michael Young

• San Diego Padres: Trevor Hoffman

• Toronto Blue Jays: Reed Johnson

• San Francisco Giants: Omar Vizquel

• St. Louis Cardinals: So Taguchi

• Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman

2006 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Craig Biggio, Houston Astros

Craig Biggio spent the entirety of his career with the Houston Astros, widely considered the best all-around position player in the club's history. During the 2006 season, Biggio had 135 hits, a .246 batting average and 21 homers. Biggio has served as a spokesperson for the Sunshine Kids Foundation for the majority of his career, which is a foundation that supports children fighting cancer by organizing exciting activities for them and their families. Through the 2006 season, Biggio has been selected to seven All-Star Games, won four Gold Gloves and collected five Silver Slugger Awards. A tough player who always gives 100 percent, Biggio represents everything that comprises the Heart & Hustle Award.

2005 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: David Eckstein, St. Louis Cardinals

In his first season with the St. Louis Cardinals, David Eckstein was named the Heart & Hustle Award winner for his efforts both on and off the field. Eckstein had 185 hits on the season, 90 runs, 61 RBIs and a .294 batting average. Eckstein is an All-Star and World Series champion, and was a fan favorite while in St. Louis. As the inaugural winner of the Heart & Hustle Award, Eckstein embodies the spirit of baseball.

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